Spotlight



lDec. 13, 1927.

H. E. MONTGOMERY Filed Nov. 13 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet l .mul Il Dec. '13, 1927.

H. E. MONTGOMERY SPOTLIGHT Filed Nov. 13 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 atroz nog Dec. 13, 19.27.l

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 SPOTLIGHT Filed Nov. 13, 1925 H. E. MONTGOMERY Str/onus!! Patented VDec.. A13, 1927-.

Y 1,652,4512'1, UNITED STA-TES PATENT ori-ica HUGH MONTGOMERY,Y OF DETROIT,-MIO`IIIGAN, AssIGnon To MONTGOMERY Bacs.

ING.,l 'or DETROIT, MICHIGAN, AOORPORATION 'or MICHIGAN.

SPOTLIGHT.

Application filedk November This inventionirelatesto 'spot lights for automobiles and other vehicles andv lhas special reference; to that vclass Vof dirigible lanterns or adjustable lamps thatfmay' be I manually adjusted to cast a` ray or beam of light in a desired direction. Mechanism providiiig a universal movement isemployed and the principleinvolved in this invention is `applicable to search lights,- signa-l lamps and various types ofgilluminatiiig devices.

My invention has been particularly designed for an electrically operated spot light that al ray of light vmay be cast to oneside or the other of theautomobile. .The mechanism alsoipermits of the lamp being swung in a vertical ,planek about an axis transverse to the lamp support wherebya ray of light may be cast upwardly .o r downwardly. Y The' mechanismfor producing these' twoindependent movements .isV sor related that the lainpmay be adjusted to cast its ray of light p i trating a modified form of spot light; Y the verticalplane and it is by virtueof such downwardly or upwardly ateither side-.of

adjustment that any spotowithin the `vicinity ofthe frontend ofV anjautomobile ymay-be i the lille XIV-XIV off Fig. 12. ments may be advantageously used in `con-vr illuminated. Itis obvious that such adjustnection Vwith a signal lamp where vthe wigwaggiiig of Vva beam vof lightvin various di-k `rections may indicate signals. J

The` adjusting `mechanism for the'lamp is. coinpactly assembled in an element;exclufdingv housing and in addition to themecha-V nism providing the usual electrical connec-` tions for the lamp, there is an organization of elements by which the lamp will'be positively held in adjusted position against accidental movement during the operation of an automobile; means b v which the focus of the lamp may bej adjusted, andmeans by which the electrical operation vofthe lamp may be controlled at will. r L

The detail construction ,of the .complete spot light will behereinafter specifically` de-y scribed `and then claimed.' and ieference'will now behad tothedrawings, wherein there Y. i is illustrated thek preferred vembodiments of.

my invention, but in describingthe details of construction and the arrangement of parts 13? 1925.L Serial No. 68,814.

it'wis tObe understood that. the structural elements are susceptible to such-changes, in size,' shape andmanner of assemblyfas are permissible by the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a longitudinalsectional viefW' ofthe spotlight;" y l Fig. f2 lis 'a rear lelevation of a. detached switch;

l `Fig.f3 is a plank l1ght,{Y the lamp being removed;

y Fig. 4 is 4.an enlarged verticalfsectional 'view taken on kthe line IV-IV of F ig. 1 gf Fig. y5 is a horizontal sectional view taken Fig. 6 is a cross sectional vviewtak'enon the line VI--VI ofFig. 4; Y

Fig. 7 is a plan `:of ajstationary clutch member forming part of thev spot light mchanism; Fig. 8 is a plan Of a support for the clutch member; c

Fig. 9fis a planof an actuating member;

Fig. 10 is a longitudinalsectional view of lthe support shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is asideelevationof the spot light showing the lamp in adjusted position;

Fig. '12 is a vertical sectional view illusjFig. 13 is aV horizontal thesame, and 1 Fig. 141s a cross sectional view taken o sectional view of In the dra-wing7 lthe reference numeral 1 denotes a support Vhaving an opening Zand vsecured 'to theout'erA siderof said support by :screws 3 or Y' other fastening means is Vthe to present a neat appearance.

Mounted in theinner end of the bracket 5 is a bushing 8 which cooperates with abearing portion 9 kat the outer end of the bracket in supporting anopeiating shaft 10 which- Yextendszthrough the Opening 2 of the sup y,port 1 and has its Vinner end provided with aliand wheel 11 by which the shaft 10 may Vb ejrotated and reciprocated. vThe outer end V of the shaft -10 is finished to provide a long pinion12 and constantly meshing with said pinion is ja double ring -gear13 journaled y of-fa'i portion of the `spot i i partly in the housing G and partly within the easing as best shown in Fig... l and The casing T has a radially disposed connection it and rotatable on Yeaid connection is a socket l5 havingr a peripheral flange lti to which is suitably secured a lamp casing 17. The lamp casing is provided with a conf ventional t'orin oit reflector 18 and a lens or transparent cover 19 which together with the retlector 18 are held in place b v a retainingrr ring Q0. ln the reflector is a concentric guide and support 2l for a socket 22 provided with an incamlescent lamp The socket 22 is slidably mounted in the support 21 and .may be adjusted b v a screw Qt to regulate the locus ol the lamp D" "llhe screw 24: is rotatably mounted in a holder i attached to the lamp easing;l 17 and by rotating the screw the socket may bo shitl ted one Wav or the other in the support 2l. The socket 22 is prevented from rotating` by contact lugsti carried b v the holder 2.5 and said socket, and `in the socket is a eprint; pressed contact 27 tor one ot the terminals of the lamp Q3. "lhe electrical connections for the lainp will be hereinafter considered.

Axially of the rotatable socket. l5 is a tubular coupling member 2S provided with an inner race member 29 which is pinned, as at 30, to the socket l5 with the pin mounted in the race member 29 and extendinginto the socket `1li :tor adjustment therein when `it-lie.co1'iies necessary to `shitt the coupling member 52S by nuts 8l screwed on the coupline member and housed within the socket l5. The race member 2S) cooperates with an outer race member and anti-:frictional balls` 33 in rotatably supporting the socket 15, particularly when the socket in other than a 'vertical position.

On the inner end ot' the coupling member Q8 is a gear wheel 34 meshing' with the ring;` gear 13. and now it is apparent that the shatt l() ma)Y be rotated in either direction to revolve the gear ring' l3,`tihe coupling member 2S, the socket l5, and the lamp attached thereto, so that said lamp may be swung` in a horizontal plane about the axis of the coupling member QS when said couplingl member is in a vertical position. l1 respective ot its position relative to the housing` ti' the lamp may he rotatedabout the axis of the couplingmember, and it is through this couplingl member that electrical connections are established for the lamp, as will hereinafter appear.

The housing (i has an opening surrounded by a collar and mounted in the housing'z,r openingr and supported by the collar 35 is a hollow cylindrical supportflti which has its outer end normally closed by an end `plate 3f? set in the housing` opening and retained therein by screws 38 or other 'tastelr ing means. p

The inner end of the cylindrical housingl 36 formed with an annular seat 39 for au iiisulat-ion ring el() on which is mounted a contact ring lll, and mounted inthe inner end oil? the support 3o a guide member l2 retained therein by radially disposed pins #l entering` the seat lllo't the support 236.

The guide member -l2 somewhat in the torni of a plug which closes the inner end ot the support -lt, and mounted on the pro trading end ot the `guide leb is a clutch ine1nber Lil-il 'provided with a conical end clutch Ylace elo. '.lhc `opposite end o'tthe clutch nieniber l-lis cut auny,` as at 4:6, to provide clearance :io a plurality tishoes 47 which are segment' shaped in le elevation and are `:ulaptcdto trictionally engage and bear againstthe inner wall oit the double ring rear lgi. These shoes t7 areiliorined with beveled confrontingr ends eltbetween which are disposed anti-' t'rictional balls or roller` members t9 arranged in a cylindrical cage 50. The faire o() supports the anti-trictional balls 'el-t) on a tapered ball projecting member fil in the 'term ot' an amiulus surrounding the .support 'lti and adapted `to be shifted lomritudinallir` thereot. The ballprojectingr member-5l tapers inwardly from its outer end towards its inner end and when the ball protectingmember is shifted towards the Heat l!) ot the support 36 the balls 49 are distemled and in` turn spread and distend the shoes 47, whereby said shoes itrictionally engage the ringl `gear 13 to rotate therewith.

Slidably mounted in the supporting inember 3G in opposed relation to the guide l2 is an actuating,l member 52 provided with sets oti radially disposed pins 53 extending through longitudinal slots 5ft; ol` the support 3G to engage opposite `sides of the ball vproji-fcting member 51.1.1 as best shown in Fig. o.

ln the actuatingr member 52 are bores 55 tor coiled expansion springs 5G whichencircle studs carried by coupling bolts slidable in openingsif) provided therefor in the .guide The studs 57 have large heads (5() which slidabl'v .lit in` the hores 55 and said studs are preferably screwed into` the couplingl bolts which in turn are screwed into a clutch or dragy meiiiber (il in opcrat i ve relation to the clutch member 44:.

The actuating` member ai). han` a slot til and extending;l tluneinis` the beveled tongue (3&2 ot the 4guide mernljier 4:2. The tonguel UZ has a beveled tace (53 cooperating with a vertical end wall ot1 the slot (51 in providing a substautialljY V-shaped pocket fora roller (l-/l engaged by the reduced end (loot the shalt l0, said reduced end ot the shattoxtending through an opening' (Sti provided tiheretor in the support titi. i p

Before describing the electrical connections for `the lamp,` it is thought best to review the two operations involved when adjustinpr the lamp. As set forth `in the beginning7 the lamp can be adjustedabout the llt) lim

v axis ofthe coupling member 28 irrespective springs 56.

ofthe position of the casing relativeto the .housing 6, and to accomplish this adjustment it is necessary to push outwardly on theshaft 10. kSuch movement of the shaft does not destroy the driving relation between the pinion 12 and the ring gear 13, but causesy the reduced end 65 of the. shaft to force `the roller 64 between the actuating member .52 and the guide member 42. Since the vguide member 42 is fixedrelativeto vthe stationary ,support 36, the actuating member 52 must .givek way and in so doing the springsy `56 are placed under 4additional tension, and the ball projecting member 51 is shifted Voutwardly by the sets of pins 53carried by the actuating member 52. Outward movement f of the actuating member 52 permits the balls 49 to recede and release thel shoes 47 relative i, to the ring gear, so thatlthe ring gear 13 .may be rotated bythe shaft 10 to impart rotation to the coupling member 28, the socket 15, andthe lamp carried thereby. The rotation of the shaft 10 must be accomplished. a while said shaft is held in a distended position against the expansive force of the These springs having been placed under compression exertan outward force against the studs 57 and by virtue ofthe coupling bolts 58 the clutch or drag member 61 isy clamped against the clutch member 44 and the lamp will remain in the position to which it is shifted, because when the hand releases the shaft 10 said shaft is L restored 'tol normal position by the roller 64 riding the inclined faceof the guide 42.

,Tliis'is brought about by the expansive force of the springs 56 restoringthe actuating member 52 to normal position, but the f springs .56 are still under-'tension causing `clutch or drag members 61 to bearagainst `the clutch member 44. Retraction of the ac- V.tuating member 52 to normal position has i caused this member-to shifty the ball pro'- .j jectng member 51, distend the balls 49, and

frictionally secure the shoes 47 against the e ring gear 13. Itis thereforeobvious that the binding action of these various parts under the influence of the springs 56 holding the drag member 61 against the clutch member 44 will prevent accidentallrotation of the Y lamp incident to vibrations to which it' may;`

f be subjected when used in connection `with an automobile.

' ly or reciprocating the, same'.V 4Rotationr of" Vthe shaft 10' causes the ring gear 13 toy vbe "coupling member 28.

Thus far I have described the cooperationofthe various elements by which the lamp maybe adjusted 'about the axisof the 'If it isfdesired' to swing'the casing 7 about the Aaxis'ofV the stationary housing 6, it is only necessary to rotate the shaft 10 without pushing `outwardrevolved with the housing 6 serving as a bearing for the"k ring gear, and the casing ,7'

.is a conductor 75 which extends through the 'opening 2 of the support 1, thebushing 8, the .bracket 5, the'bearingj9 and into the housing ,an opening 78 in the clutch member 44 and fthe'piece79 is a short conductor 8O extending into the socket 22 and connected 'to ythe contact-27.. I f

Iwili'remain stationary on fthe ring gear so that the ycasing may be swung about the axis of the vhousing 6. When the ring gear 13 is revolved it carries lwith it the clutch member 44, the shoes 47, the balls 49 and their cage 5.0, and thel tapered ball projecting member 51; All of these elements are free to revolve with the'ringV gear 13, but against the braking or dragging action of the member 61 againstV the clutchy member 44. It .f

is therefore obvious that if the shaft 10 is released that'the 'casing 7 will remain in its adjusted'position and when in such position the shaft 10 may be pushed outwardly and rotated to accomplish adjustment of the lampv about the axis of the coupling member 28.

The drag or clutch member 6l at allftimes y exerts pressure against the clutch member 44 and these two kelements serve as a common :if

locking means justment. Y A.

The electrical equipment includes a switch casing67 made of insulation material and for the'lamp after each admounted against the support 1, saidcasing- ,H

having an opening 6,8 so that the shaft 1U may extend through the casing. In the casing is a resilientv Contact arm 69 that may be sprung into engagement with a xed contact arm 70 by a fulcrumed lever 71 normally engaging the resilient contact arm 69. Extending into the casing 67 are leading-'1n conductors 72v and 73 from a suitable source of electrical energy and-the leading-in conductor 72 is 'connected to the resilient contact arm 69, while the leading-1n conductor 73 is connected to a resilient` contact arm 74 constantly engaging the shaft 10.

Connected to the fixed contact member 'TO 6. From the housing` 6 the conductor 75 extends through an opening in the support 36 and through an angularly disposedopening i .c

76 in the guide member 42. See Fig. 5.

The end of the conductor k7 5 extends out of the support 36 through the seat 39 and the insulation ring 40 and is attached to the contact ring 41. contact ring 41 is a pin 77 extending through through a tubular insulator 79 mounted in the tubular coupling member 28. rlhe pin 77 extends into the lamp 'casing 177 and mounted on'the upper end of said pin is a spring pressed insulator head 78 havingY a piece 7 9 contacting withl the Vpin 77. Connectedto `vViith the leading-in conductor73 electrically connected to theshaft 10 the other leg I of 'they circuit is4 completed through metal# lic parts of the spot light mechanism.

Constantly engaging the z l Reference will now be had to Figs. 12 to lil inclusive illustratinir what may be con sidered asii'nplilied construction compared to that previously described. ln this simple form l dispense with the slices 4f?, the balls 5U, the ball projecting iiieiiilici'jl, the pines 53, and practically all of the elements in the hollow cylindrical support Sti. lien ot these elementel I lorin a clutch member ill with :t toothed end 9() n'hich is within the `ringr gear 2? so that the long.: pinion l2 may be slnited to eingagc only the ring gear 13 or said rino; gear und the toothedend lll) of the clutch member llhen in loner/igement. with the rinor gear l?) alone the lamp `will be turned about the unis oit the coupling member and when in engagement with the ring gear and the toothed end ot the clutch member, both will be rotated in synchronism causing' the casing 7 to be ad jus Ycd relative to the housing: (l.

To hold the dran or clutch member (il in an operative relation to the clutch member elet, the dragl n'lcmber til is provided nith guide nine or slude -)l exteinlinel into the end ot the support 3G. Centrally oli thc dranr or clutch member (3l is a stud UQ .slidable in the end olt the Support Sl?, and provided with u head 9? Within the support serving an an abutment 'for a coiled-e-pansion spring ill. which holds; the drug member (il against thel clutch member 4l.

The conductor T3 may be carried into the support. 3G and to the contact ring; ll. or it muy be connected to the contact ring by being arranged belwcenthe support 3G and the clutch member elfi.

.lt ia thought that the operation of this Simplified 'torni ol" construction will be apparent Without 'further dcscriptioin` and oit course I rererre the right to use either form that may tall within the scope of the followinf: claims.

Thatl claim iszl. In a spot. light, the conibination with a lixed bracket, and an adjuetable electricall;7 illuminated lanu :it the outer end ol? Said bracket. oll a rotatable casinor supported from -thc outer end olf said bracket, a rotulalilc Socket on said casing;v und siuniorlinrr unid lamp. a coupling' member in Said casing adapted for imparting rotation to said Socket. a ringl `ear extending into euid casing adapted to rotate said coullilingr member, a toothed clutch member haring' ite1 teeth in the saine plane as the teeth ot Suid rino: gear. and n toothed shalt extending through Said bracket with its teeth nieshineV with Said ring gear and adapted to engage the teethof said clutch member.

2. In a snot light. wherein a bracket supports an adjustable electrically illuminated lamp adapted to be swung in a plane at a right angle to the axis ol said bracket and rotatedrelative to an axis at an angle to the bracket axis, and wherein a rotatable and reciproeable*shalt .is adapted tor adjusting said lampg-mechaniein operatable by said :shalt for clii'ccting adjuetmcnt ot said lamp, Said mechanism inclruling n housing on said bracket, a rotatable casing at the side ol said housingr and on which casing s'aid lamp is rotatably supported, a ring gear in said housing ande-using operatable by said shaft to either impart rotation to said lamp rela- `tire 'to said cucine; or bodily adjust Said casing and 'lamp` relative to said housing, and means controlled by reeiprocation ot said shalt adapted to :uljnst said casing relative to snidrinfr gear ttor-rotation therewith, the last mentioned means including shoes cngaging' said rincr gear, a clutch, and spring actuated means by which said clutch and shoes cooperate in holdingr said casing for rotation with said ring;r `treni'.

3. ln a snot light wherein a bracket supports an adjustable electrically illuminated lamp adapted to be strung in a plane at a right angle to the axis et said bracket and rotated relative to en axis at un angle to the bracket axis, and wherein a rotatable and reciprocable shalt is adapted for adjusting unid lamp;---mechanisin operatable by said .shalt lor ellcctintg adjustment of said lamp, said mechanism including a housing,r on said ln'acket. u rotatable casing at the side of said housingA and on which casing said lamp is rotatably supported, a ring: `rear in said housing and canine; tnieratnble by said shalt, to either inniiartrotation to Said lamp rolative to said casing or bodily adjust said casing' and lamp relative to said housing, a clutch in said casing, a dragr member engaging' said clutch, slices normally engaging said ring gear, spring actuated means establishingr un `operative relation between said shoes and dranr member 'for holdingr said ring gear against accidental rotation, and means operatable by reciprocation of said shaft adapted to ell'eet said springr actuated means to release said shoes relative to said ring `rear and permit ot said ring near adjustingA said lamp iruleljieinlent of said easing.

l. A spot ,light mechanism as called for in claim 3, wherein said springr actuated means includes an actuating` member, a ball projectingr member adapted to be shifted by said actuating member, and a Series of balls interposed between said shoes and Said actuating member.

5. A spot` lie-ht mechanism as called for in claim l, wherein said Spring actuated means includes an actuating member, studs in Said actuating member connected to said drag member, springs in said actuating member pressing against said studs, and means shiftable by said actuating member to effect movement of said shoes relative to said ring gear.

6. In a spot light wherein a bracket suplun ports van adjustable electrically illuminated lamp adapted to be swung in a planeat a right angle to the axis of said bracketV and rotated relative to an axis at an angle to the bracket axis, and wherein a rotatable and reciprocable shaft is adapted for adjusting said lamp mchanisni operatable by said shaft for effecting adjustment of said lamp, said mechanism includingV a housing on said bracket, a `rotatable casing at the side of said housingy and on which casing said lamp isirotatably supported, asu'pport carried by said housing and extending into said casing, a ring gear in said housing and vcasing constantly geared with said shaft and adapted to be driven from said shaftV for rotating said lamjg) ou said Casing, and means within said ring gear engageable by reciprocation of said shaft for rotation with said casing, said means being releasable by reciprocation of said shaft to permit of said lamp being rotated on said casing. y

7. In a spot light wherein a bracket sup-k ports an adjustable lamp adapted to be swung in a plane at a right angle to the axis of said bracket and rotated relative to an axis at an angle to the bracket axis, and wherein a rotatable and reciprocable shaft in said bracket is adapted for adjusting said lamp; support,- iiig means for said lamp relative to said bracket, said supporting means Lcomprising a housing, a casing, a rotatable lamp supporting socket on said casing, a ring gearjournaled in said housing and supporting said casing and operatable by saidshaft for either rotatingsaid casing relat-i-veto/said housing or said lamp supporting socket relative to said casing, a supportcarried by said housing, and extendinginto said casing, clutch kmechanism inl said casing, means between said support and said ring gearrcoopeiating with said clutch mechanism in holding said casing and the lamp supporting socket against accidental rotation, and means in said support operatable by reciprocation of said shaft to release said means relative to said ring gear so that said ring gear may rotate said lamp sup-porting socket independent of said casing. A j

8. A spot light mechanism as called for in claim 7, wherein the last mentioned means includes an actuating member articulated with said clutch mechanism and constantly under .the spring pressure.

9. In a spot light, a housing, a casing rotatably supported fioin said housing, a lamp supporting socket rotatable on said casing,

a ring gear in said housing and casing adapted for rotating` either said casing or said lamp supporting socket, a clutch memberin..

said casing, a drag member'iiormally engaging said clutch member and adapted to cooperate therewith inpreventing accidental'k rotation of saidV casing orthe lamp socket thereon, means `in said casingV articulated with said drag member and adapted to control the rotation of said ring gear whereby said rii'iggear may revolve in said housing for rotation of said casing or revolve in said housing and casing for rotation of said lamp supportingsocket, and means extending into lsaidhc'iusing.for imparting rotation to said ring gear and controlling the last mentioned means.

' l0. In a spot light, the combination with a fixed bracket, and an adjustable electrically.

illuminated lamp at the outer end of said bracket, of a housing on the outer end 'of said bracket, a rotatable casing supported from said housing, a rotatable lamp supported from said casi-ng, a ring gear in said lious' ing adapted for rotating said lamp relative to saidA casing, a toothed clutch member in said ring gear and having its teeth in the same plane as the teeth of said ring gear, and

means extending through said bracket into said housing constantly vengaging said ring gear for adjusting said lamp relative to 4said casing and shiftable into engagement with the teeth ork said clutchV member and adjust# able with said ring gear for adjusting said casing relative to said housing. V

11. In a spot light wherein a bracket supports anv adjustable casing with anV adjustable lamp thereon,v a mechanism for optionally adjusting either said lamp or said lamp andy casing together, said mechanism including a ring gear, a clutch member concentric ofV said ring gear, teeth on one Aend of said clutch member in matched registration with the teeth of said ring gear, means engaging theopposite end of said clutch member to effect a drag thereon so that said ring gear may be rotated relative to sai-d clutch member, and means reeiprocable and rotatable in a plane at an. angle to the axis of said ringV gear, and adapted to mesh with the teeth of the ring gear alone to elfect rotation of said lamp on said casing or mesh with the teeth of said ring gear and clutch member to effect `bodily adjustment of said lamp and casing relative 'to said bracket.

Intestimony whereof I affix my signature.

HUGH MQNTGOMERY.

llO 

